Tom Kaye Retires from Paintball, AGD Under New Management

[jewie27]

Tom is already an archaeologist. I wonder if he will still be digging up dinosaurs in Wyoming.

[jewie27]

I posted something along these lines over at the Shatner board

Future Job ideas for Tom

Singing

Dancing

Radio DJ

Roping Cowboy

Proctologist

Movie Reviewer

Pro-Frisbee Player

Football Player

This is what happens when strange guys with a camera follow you around.




On a more serious note Tom you will be greatly missed.

You have an open invitation to take a ride with me and Dawn in our tank if you're ever at event that we have it at. I hope you enjoyed Dawn's write up 'Kaye's Day' in this months issue of Paintball Sports. Sorry I couldn't talk them into printing up the K A Y E or Y M C A pictures.


*EDIT*

How about
Runway Model

Dude, crazy thing I just met Bill Shatner on Monday at my work. If he comes back, I'm going to ask him if I can play in Shatner ball. Maybe he'll sponsor me. He's buying 6 digital cameras from my store. LOL

[Aliens-8-MyDad]

wow i dont even know what to say... tom you were my idol for so long anyone ever asked me who i wanted to be like, or who i looked up to... i said you, people were like who the heck is that but i knew who you were, you are indeed a legend and will always be to me. you not only contributed to the paintball world but to my life. its sad that you are going because even tho we only met at the ao meets and ao chat rooms i considerd you a good friend. good luck in whatever endevors you take on, you will undoubtaly succeed.

goodbye, my friend.

[cledford]

wow i dont even know what to say... tom you were my idol for so long anyone ever asked me who i wanted to be like, or who i looked up to... i said you, people were like who the heck is that but i knew who you were, you are indeed a legend and will always be to me. you not only contributed to the paintball world but to my life. its sad that you are going because even tho we only met at the ao meets and ao chat rooms i considerd you a good friend. good luck in whatever endevors you take on, you will undoubtaly succeed.

goodbye, my friend.

Well said - I feel the same.

-Calvin

[magnj]

Tommy...Godspeed. I hope AGD does not suffer from your loss. Long live AGD

[boarder2k7]

As far as im concerned the last "industry leader" that i can honestly respect is gone. And thats a damned shame.-Enos Shenk

wow i dont even know what to say... tom you were my idol for so long anyone ever asked me who i wanted to be like, or who i looked up to... i said you, people were like who the heck is that but i knew who you were, you are indeed a legend and will always be to me. you not only contributed to the paintball world but to my life. its sad that you are going because even tho we only met at the ao meets and ao chat rooms i considerd you a good friend. good luck in whatever endevors you take on, you will undoubtaly succeed.

goodbye, my friend.

Very well said. Tom has done so much for our sport and it is deeply saddening to see him go. This is especially saddening because of Smart Parts who were responsible for the production halt of the Xmag.(its still the best gun of all time though) Positive contributions...........then there was Smartparts

On another note now that the lawsuit has been settled in favor of WDP/NPF will AGD re-start production of the X Mag? Please?

Tom, You will be very sorely missed and even though 99% may forget you soon I will be in the 1% who will never forget......

ROCK ON AGD!!!!!

*Edit* Is there any idea about the HAIR trigger, because if this comes out soon and AGD does not continue with the Xmags then it could really pull them out of the ditch.

[coolcatpete]

I am proud to have contributed in my small way.

Tom you contributed in more than just a small way. Without you Piantball would not be where it is today.
Pete

[harpo568]

It's a Shame

Tom,
It's a shame to see you go...After (only) 3 years in this sport I understand how you feel (I've been giving serious thought to selling off all of my tools and equipment, giving up managing the field and leaving the sport completely) and you will most definately be missed.I had the pleasure/privlidge/honor of meeting you in 2003 and it is still something I tell players about when they come to the field.

I am Finally a 'Mag owner (2000 PTP Micro E-Mag) and love the gun...

I know you have given over control of the company but if you have ANY say in the operation and future of the company PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let them go the way other companies have gone recently and sell out to bottom feeders like K2... There is already enough junk out there that's made overseas and I'd hate to see AGD leave and the Automag become another.

Thanks for everything you have done for the sport and for all of us that play over the years!!!!

You will DEFINATELY be missed.

Richard
Field Manager
Level X Paintball Park
Villa Grove ,IL

[jewie27]

To all my friends on AO and in Paintball,

It has been no secret that AGD has been under financial stress for many years. With the recent downturn in the industry it no longer makes sense for me and my family to pursue a living from this great game. Effective today I will be retiring and moving on to other business ventures outside paintball.



It has been a privilege to watch an industry grow from a spark into a raging fire that covered the world. I am proud to have contributed in my small way. Most of all I was glad to know the people of paintball, especially my customers. AO has been my constant companion for years now and I never expected all the benefits, joys and sorrows that came from knowing you all.



I sincerely hope that paintball gets past its recent flurry of issues and comes together as the great game and industry we all know it can be. To all of the players I want you to remember that its YOU who control this game and this industry. Treat it wisely and vote with your dollars so your kids can play along side you some day.

Is he referring to the lawsuits and that AGD isn't making enough money because 'Mags are not the preferred marker of choice? I know that everyone and their mom shoots a Timmy right now.

[AnthonyDStone]

We'll miss you tom!!!!

Hey tom, I Just want to say thanks again for the paint at sams big game this fall(saturday)You made my weekend memorable,I kept the box as a momento!let me know whats up for the shatner game I would like to be one of your officers,I understand you get alot of this but I would be most honored,your biggest fan:Anthony D Stone.Sorry to hear about the retirement but I suppose there comes a time when we all must move on,Good luck in all that you do!!!!

[brianlojeck]

holy steaming pile...

every time I take a couple months off something horrible happens.

Good luck, Tom. we'll miss you.

[shadowspar]

Wow. I see I wasn't the only one to check the date and make sure it wasn't April 1.

I got into paintball just before the MiniMag hit the market. It was the first marker I ever coveted, and I still do. I remember talking to a local amateur team at the time. When I asked them what I should buy, their advice was unanimous -- "Just get a 'mag. If you're serious about paintball, you'll end up with one eventually, anyway."

Tom, I wish you the best in whatever pursuits your future may hold. And I'd like to thank you, not just for the abundant technical contributions to the sport you've made over the years, but, even more importantly, for the social contributions you've made to the paintball community. You've always exemplified the principles of honesty, courtesy, gentility, and service, and for that, I thank you. You are truly one of the legends of the sport in my books.

Unfortunately, I think this day marks the end of an era in paintball. Whereas, in some ways, we used to have a sort of paintball `community', populated with people who were by and large interested in doing what was best for the sport, now everything is going mass-market and being driven by the Almighty Dollar. I admit that I'm kind of worried about what kind of state the industry is in as Tom makes his exit. But, for all of us who are concerned about the future of the sport, I think we would do well to follow the example that Tom's set for us.

[hwayhzrd]

You continue to expect that things will be the same but in reality the old days of paintball are gone forever. The general paintball public hasn't put it all together yet. They dont understand that AKA is done making guns forever. That Odessey who brought you the best loader ever is now hovering at bankruptcy. WGP just gave up the whole upper end marrket in favor of a spider clone. Glen Palmer is going to retire to another country. Tippmann is now controlled by the functional equivalent of a superpower and the best Bob Long can do is come out with a new look every month.

Wow, if that doesn't sum it all up.

The grass roots sport of paintball has definitely gone about as far the other direction as it possibly can.

I understand that change is imminent, but it seems that too many people (such as the Gardners) have gone out of their way to take the love and joy out of it.

People wondered why I protested loudly about such things as the Smart Parts debacle, but maybe now you can see what the issue was and is.

It's just not nearly as much fun as it used to be, what with corporate dirty tricks, lawyers, takeovers and a participant base that shreds itself by segregating it's members and then treating each other like second class citizens if they dare disagree.

Maybe it's time to sell my stuff and go back to golf ...

[The Frymarker]

Maybe it's time to sell my stuff and go back to golf ...

My thoughts exactly, better go dust off my clubs

[Cyberious]

My thoughts exactly, better go dust off my clubs

Yep, just bought a King Cobra 454 Comp Driver. Paintball was safer for me. I didn't get in as much trouble shooting paintballs at people as I did when I would try to hit the old guys in polyester with golf balls.